Both senators' supported the idea, which has received the high-profile backing of billionaire and philanthropist Andrew Forrest who has also announced plans to sue "big tobacco" on behalf of smokers.

"I don't know how the young ones can afford a pack of cigarettes anymore anyway," Senator Hanson said.

"The cost of smoking is horrendous. But if it's going to help the kids, and they won't get on smoking, they will get the smokes somewhere else, but raising the age limit makes commonsense to me. I'd also look at raising the age of voting as well to 21.

"I think that these things need to be debated. I like to hear the people's opinion. But I'm all for it."